NFL teams and fans honor Mike Ditka with tributes

Tributes to former Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka spanned the National Football League on Sunday, ranging from formal moments of silence to fans dressing in his signature 1980s attire. Ditka died on Friday at the age of 86, prompting a wave of remembrance from the league, his former teams, and supporters across the country.

During the Sunday game between the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers, multiple fans in Green Bay arrived wearing Ditka costumes. The outfits included the classic Bears sweater, sunglasses, cigars held in the mouth, and Ditka-style mustaches, some of which were fake. The source describes the display as a memoriam rather than mockery, noting that the look has been widely recognized through sports films and repeated skits on Saturday Night Live.

The Green Bay Packers observed the death with a formal pregame ceremony. With the University of Wisconsin band standing at attention on the field, a public address announcement stated that the Packers and the NFL community were saddened by the passing of Pro Football Hall of Famer Mike Ditka. The announcement extended condolences to Ditka's family, friends, and the Chicago Bears organization before leading the crowd in a moment of silence. The silence ended with applause from a fan base that has shared a rivalry with the Bears since 1921.

The New Orleans Saints, which Ditka coached from 1997 to 1999, also held a moment of silence before their home game against the Minnesota Vikings. On the field in Chicago, Bears players wore No. 89 helmet decals to honor Ditka's retired number. Bears head coach Ben Johnson reportedly showed the team a tribute video during a meeting on Saturday night. Johnson described Ditka as "the gold standard" and said he felt humbled to occupy the same coaching chair.

In Chicago, fans gathered at Ditka's Oak Brook restaurant for remembrance. A local business organized Ditka trivia and signed-jersey giveaways for attendees. The Bears organization lowered its flag to half-staff at Halas Hall on Friday and displayed a memorial image outside Soldier Field. In a statement, the team called Ditka's impact "immeasurable." All networks broadcasting NFL games on Sunday paid tribute to the former coach.